LICENSING POLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2369, 9 December 1908, Page 5

LICENSING POLL.

THE MASTERTON PETITION

[Press Association.]

PALMERSTON, N.. Dee. 8

Mr. A. D. Thomson, SCI., hue been selected as one of the Magistrates to hear the petition regarding the invalidation- of the Masterton local option noil. The petitioners against the .Masterton local option poll are to be heard on December 16th, by Dr. A. McArthur. S.M., of Wellington, Mr. W. P. James, S.M., of Masterton, and Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., of Palmerston North.

WELLINGTON ,S CBURBS. WELLINGTON, De-. ?. A petition has been lodged agauist the Wellington Suburbs local optiion poll. It is urged that the boundaries of the district were not jy <] < rly gazetted, that no issue for an increase of licenses (the population having increased by 25 per cent.) was included in the ballot paper, and that a number of irregularities toik place.

RESOLUTION BY AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

AN INTERESTING DEBATE

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Dec. 8

The subject of the recent local option poll came before the Auckland Presbytery to-night, when the Rev. A. Millar moved “That the Presbytery rejoices in tlio substantial! advance in temperance sentiment indicated by the local option poll. AVe congratulate the electors of Eden and Ohinemuri on carrying No-license, and the Grey Lynn people on thcsplendid majority obtained for nonrestoration. AYe also note with satisfaction tho fact that reduction has been carried in Auckland City and adjacent electorates, and that in each case so large a vote lias been cast for No-license. AA r c accept all this evidence that the incoming tide is in favor of temperance reform, and will be encouraged thereby to renewed increased efforts <o that at no distant date a complete victory may be gained over the drink traffic, with ■all its attendant evils.” Mr. L. G. Baguall drew attention to the fact that although the Nolicense vote had increased by 22 per cent., the drink bill had increased by 32 per cent. That, llio thought, appeared to indicate that while the Nolicense feeling was increasing, the temperance feeling was not. To his mind this was a very serious phase of the question. Again, lie understood til at in ’Ohinemuri it was not a strong feeling for No-license that gained tlio day, hut a concerted effort, by tho men \of AVaihi to protest against the action of the publicans in refusing to give them cheaper beer. Mr. ‘Millar said that the Presbytery knew full well that what Mr. Baguall said was correct. It was to be deplored. The people had been drinking more because they li-ad more to spend. Tli Rev. J. Bertram referred to the fact that a largo number of NolicensG votes had been cast, by moderate drinkers. The Rev. J. L. Patuillo said that Mr. Bagnal/1 was correct in what he said regarding AVaihi. There were comparatively few teetotallers in AVaihi. He believed that prohibition would not have been carried there had it not been. for the refusal to reduce the price of beer. “If I might uso the word,” said Air. Patullo, “it was sheer devilment on the part, of the minors.” The motion was carried.